PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Students at the Rhode Island School of Design and Providence College will get a practical lesson in political science this week when the Secretary of State’s office visits their campuses as part of a statewide college voter registration drive.
“Students who register to vote are more likely to become active and informed citizens of this state. Some of these young people will be our leaders of tomorrow. Now is the time to engage them,” said Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis.
Students will be able register at the Rhode Island School of Design, Tues., April 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Metcalf Dining Center and at Providence College Thurs., April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Slavin Center. The voter registration initiative is a partnership with the state Board of Elections.
“I am grateful to the Board of Elections for its commitment to this important initiative. Our success during these college visits will pay dividends for decades to come as these youngsters exercise their right to vote election after election,” Mollis said.
The college voter registration drive is part of a push to get younger voters to the polls. The Secretary of State plans to visit every Rhode Island high school and college leading up to the 2010 elections.
His emphasis on young people reflects the reality of record-breaking elections in 2008 that saw Rhode Island set new marks for the number of registered voters as well as voter turnout.
“Nearly 9 out of 10 eligible Rhode Islanders are already registered. The growth in our state will come from reaching out to newly eligible groups like high school and college students,” said Mollis.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 59 percent of eligible 18-to-24-year-olds were registered to vote on Election Day 2008. Just 49 percent actually voted in that election. Students who miss the Secretary of State's visit are still in luck. They can find voter registration forms and answers to frequently asked questions at sos.ri.gov.
In order to register to vote in this year’s elections, students must be 18 by Nov. 2, residents of Rhode Island and U.S. citizens.
The Secretary of State’s office prepares the ballots for all federal, state and municipal elections held in Rhode Island. In addition, the office maintains the state’s central voter registration system and distributes handbooks that explain how to run for office, how to register to vote and how to vote.
“My goal is to make it easier for people to vote and to make government more open and accessible to everyday Rhode Islanders. The more that people are invested in their government, the better it will serve them,” said Mollis.
Secretary of State Mollis is committed to making it easier to vote, helping business grow and making government more open and accessible. For more information about registering to vote, visit sos.ri.gov.